Opinions sought over care changes

The future of the county’s care service will be the subject of a public meeting in the new year.

The new Care Act, which comes into force next April, will see changes to the way care and support is offered.

A spokesman for West Sussex County Council said the changes were designed to help people plan for the future and have more control over their care and support, helping them to remain independent for as long as possible.

A consultation into the changes will run until Wednesday February 11 and the council is looking for people’s views on:

Carrying out assessments for carers and for people needing social care support;

Delivering an independent advocacy service (someone to speak on a person’s behalf);

Looking at how people are charged for services.

The meeting will be held at the Charis Centre, West Green Drive, from 6.30-8pm on January 15.

Cllr Peter Catchpole said: “Even if you are many years away from needing care and support, we hope you’ll take part and give us your views. The consultation will only take a few minutes but your answers will help influence how parts of the Care Act are delivered in West Sussex.”